Making first comments on the ongoing Kulbhushan Jadhav row, US on Monday urged India and Pakistan to engage in “direct dialogue”. The comments from the US came hours after the two countries faced-off at the International Court of Justice over the the death penalty given to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav. “We believe India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation,” a State Department spokesperson told news agency Press Trust of India. Further speaking on the issue, spokesperson said, “We encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tension.”

Earlier in the day, India and Pakistan presented their case over the crucial issue at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Making a strong argument, India completely exposed Pakistan’s claims and raised a demand for immediate lifting of the death sentence imposed on Jadhav. Representing India, counsellor Harish Salve further accused Pakistan of violating the Vienna convention by denying its request for consular access for 16 times. He further added that denial of counselor access was a ‘fatal’ breach of the Vienna Convention rules. Pakistan, terming India’s application on its national Kulbhushan Jadhav’s death sentence as “unnecessary and misconceived”, told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) India was using the court as the “scene of political theatre”.

Kulbhushan Jadhav, captured by Pakistani forces in March last year, was sentenced to death by a military court on charges of espionage and subversive activities. Jadhav’s sentencing has become the latest flashpoint in the India-Pakistan ties. Pakistan has denied India consular access to Jadhav 16 times, claiming that the Indian National was an agent of India’s external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). India, concerned about its national’s life, appealed against the death sentence on May 8. ICJ stayed the sentence the very next day. In its appeal, India did assert that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he was legally involved in business activities after retiring from the Indian Navy.